FIFA ban on Kenya
Kenyan football has suffered suspensions by world governing body Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) on three occasions: 2004,[1] 2006,[2] and in 2022[3] due to alleged government interference.
2004
On 2 June 2004 FIFA sent Kenya to football wilderness for the first time[4][5] following the appointment of a Transitional Stakeholder Committee chaired by former athlete Mike Boit by Sports Minister Najib Balala at the expiry of Maina Kariuki's term.
However, FIFA lifted the ban[6] from international football during an Emergency Committee meeting in Zurich on 6 Aug 2004 due to formation of a KFF Normalization Committee aimed at resolving Kenyan football problems.
2006
On 26 October 2006, FIFA banned Kenya for a second time in two years after it's Emergency Committee deemed the country had failed to respect agreements to resolve recurrent problems. Failure to form an 18-team league to replace two independent top flight leagues and disrespect of FIFA's Statutes, regulations and decisions contributed to the ban.[7][8]
The ban was lifted on 9 Mar 2007 by Fifa's Emergency Committee lifted the suspension imposed last October following recommendations by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after a number of sticking points were cleared which included a declaration from sports minister Maina Kamanda not to interfere in the running of the federation, that the 28 points agreed with Fifa by the KFF and the Kenyan government at a meeting in Cairo in January 2006 would be respected in full, and that Mohammed Hatimy would run the KFF on an interim basis.[9][10]
2022
On 11 November 2021, Sports Cabinet Secretary Dr. Ambassador Amina Mohamed dissolved the federation[11] and it's executive over allegations of misappropriation of funds and formed a Caretaker Committee led by former Judge Aaron Ringera for an initial period of six months. This led to a ban on Kenya by FIFA on 25 Feb 2022.[12][13]
The ban was lifted after nine-months, on 28 November 2022,[14] after newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Sports, the Hon. Ababu Namwamba reinstated the FKF Executive Committee.[15]
References
- ^ Nation, 2 June 2004 ban sparks outrage
- ^ Reuters, 9 Mar 2007 FIFA lifts ban on Kenya after govt assurances
- ^ Reuters, 28 Nov 2022 Zimbabwe suspended by FIFA
- ^ CNN, 2 Jun 2004 Kenya kicked into exile by FIFA
- ^ Eurosport, 2 Jun 2004 Kenya banned
- ^ BBC, 6 Aug 2004 Fifa lifts Kenya ban
- ^ Al Jazeera, 25 Oct 2006 FIFA send Kenya into exile
- ^ China.org, 26 Oct 2006 FIFA Suspends Kenya
- ^ BBC, 9 Mar 2007 Fifa lifts ban on Kenya
- ^ Nation, 9 Mar 2007 Fifa lift ban on Kenya football after Caf
- ^ Nation, 11 November 2021 Sports CS Amina disbands FKF, forms caretaker committee to run football
- ^ The East African, 25 Feb 2022 Fifa suspends Kenya from all football activities
- ^ The Star, 26 Feb 2022 Sports CS Amina faults FIFA's decision to suspend Kenya
- ^ Inside FIFA, 28 Nov 2022 FIFA lifts suspension of Football Kenya Federation
- ^ Standard, 26 Nov 2022 Kenyan football is back: FIFA lifts ban on FKF